Revered for its handcrafted and highly collectible mid-century modern sofas, coffee tables and other furnishings, Dunbar Furniture was founded in 1910 in Berne, Indiana, but it didn’t gain widespread recognition until the ’30s, following the introduction of its president to a designer who would leave an indelible mark on the company’s legacy: Edward Wormley.
After a stint at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Oswego, Illinois-born Wormley worked as an interior designer for Marshall Field’s before joining Dunbar in 1931. Initially focused on developing the company’s cheapest furniture line, which could be bought with soap coupons, he was soon leading Dunbar Furniture into a new era of residential furniture for modern American homes. He would serve as the company’s design director for over three decades, designing about 150 pieces each year.
During that time, he oversaw the production of designs in a wide range of materials, with influences ranging from Scandinavian modernism to Art Deco. There were modern upholstery pieces, like swiveling lounge chairs and low-slung sofas, and experiments with textural wood on bar carts and cabinets as well as minimal, sculptural tables and functional office furniture. A passionate collector of Tiffany Studios lamps, Wormley used their glass tiles in Dunbar tables in 1956. He also worked on the reproduction of pieces by designers such as Jean-Michel Frank and Richard Riemerschmid.
One standout Dunbar Furniture collection was Janus, introduced in the 1960s, with Austrian-born ceramicists Otto and Gertrud Natzler. These pieces see the Natzlers’ uniquely artful ceramic tiles set into several styles of wooden tables. They remain some of the most sought-after mid-century modern Dunbar pieces on the vintage market today. During the peak of his design career and, indeed, the height of Dunbar Furniture’s history, Wormley amassed a whopping 30 Good Design awards between 1950 and 1955 through the “Good Design” exhibition, hosted by the Chicago Merchandise Mart and the Museum of Modern Art. Dunbar today produces a limited selection of archival Wormley designs, but many sales of original Dunbar pieces are through the resale market.
Find a collection of authentic vintage Dunbar Furniture today on 1stDibs.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tet-a-Tete
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Iconic Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tet-a-Tete. Ready for fabric of your choice. Mahogany legs with brass caps, Dunbar decking.
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chaise Longue Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar chaise longue sofa.
Upholstery
Dunbar Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Original Leather
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A Dunbar lounge chair and ottoman model 484 designed by Roger Sprunger. Mahogany frame with original leather.
Leather
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
A swivel lounge chair designed by the iconic Edward Wormely for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new high-grade hand cut foam with all insides full...
Velvet, Mahogany
$2,940
H 27 in W 28 in D 28 in
Vladimir Kagan Fettucini Lounge Chair in Sienna Leather Seat with Metal Base
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Clifton, NJ
The kinetic lines of the Fettucini Chair fold together and gracefully join along the legs, drawing the eye across each contour. The floating backrest flows into twisting curves of th...
Leather
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940 An early sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, dating to approximately 1940. This substantial example features a generous seating ...
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa This sofa measures: 97 wide x 33 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 28 inches Fair Vintage Conditio...
Upholstery, Walnut
Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A good Mid-Century Modern sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, with flared back and arms and loose back cushions. Square dark walnut legs with round brass foot. The piece was reupholst...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa in Light Blue Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, sofa, model 5150, fabric, metal, United States, 1950s. The sofa exudes a simple and elegant style, reminiscent of the classic design elements typically a...
Metal
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a rare set of 8 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining chairs in great condition. Upholstery as found, re-upholstery available.
Mahogany
$2,800 / set
H 29.5 in W 25.5 in D 31 in
Mid-Century Danish Modern Rosewood & Brown Leather Lounge Chair & Ottoman Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Norwegian made designer lounge chair & ottoman set circa 1972. It features rosewood stained solid wood chair frames with chocolate brown leather upholstery. Price includes the set ...
Leather, Wood
$15,750Sale Price|30% Off
H 28 in W 90.5 in D 32 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa in Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully updated and restored. The iconic bracket back sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This has been reupholstered in a stunning high-quality mohair from "The Sign". This sofa ...
Mohair, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Hamburg, PA
A classic Bracket Back Sofa #5497 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Edward Wormley always saw furniture as expressions of personality and as a paired-down concept for detail of architect...
Upholstery, Walnut
1950s 6 Band Bamboo Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Art Deco
By Paul Frankl
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning 1950s 6 band bamboo lounge chair and ottoman, Art Deco style, bamboo in amazing original condition, recently reupholstered reversible loose cus...
Fabric, Bamboo
Bamboo and Rattan Chair and Ottoman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage British colonial style chair and ottoman crafted with a bamboo frame and having herringbone woven rattan on the seat, arms and ottoman, ce...
Bamboo, Rattan
Sold
H 28.25 in W 26.25 in D 57 in
1950s Ultra Rare Cane and Mahogany Chaise designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Ultra rare chaise lounge by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in cane and mahogany on bent wood hairpin legs. As much art, as it is form, this chaise will be the centerpiece of your design. ...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rare Chaise Lounge in Bouclé and Ash
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar chaise model 6750L. A beautiful and elegant chaise with a bleached/ natural colored ash frame complete with dark feet. Reupholstered in Robert Allen Camel/ Sand bouclé. Chaise is unmarked but is a documented design. Includes two pillows as shown in various pictures. Wormley was known for his blending of modern and traditional elements, and this chaise is no exception. Please note there is a slight taper to the chaise with the back portion being the widest at 33.5" which tapers down to about 28.5" at the footing. The color shifts based on lighting- in heavy direct natural light it presents more ivory or gray, and in an absence of natural light the sand undertone being more present. There are hues of sand/ ivory/ and grey. The first few pictures are in limited natural light (and the most true to color) and the detail pictures are with a large amount of direct sunlight. There are also two closeups of the fabric, again one being in direct sunlight, and the other being in the absence of sunlight/ only fluorescent overhead lighting...
Bouclé, Ash
Sold
H 28.25 in W 26.25 in D 57 in
Cane and Mahogany Chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Ultra rare chaise lounge by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in cane and mahogany on bent wood hairpin legs. As much art, as it is form, this chaise will be the centerpiece of your design....
Cane, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Tete-a-Tete Sofa for Dunbar in Blue Leather
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Buffalo, NY
Amazing Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tete-a-Tete sofa in its original baby blue leather upholstery. Mahogany legs, brass caps. Stunning design. Outragious color and patina. Just enough ...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 33.5 in D 70 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chaise Lounge; Ash, Rosewood, and Knoll Bouclé
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ash base with highly figured grain. Seating portion has been completely restored to include springs being retied, new foam, ...
Bouclé, Ash
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Daybed/ Chaise
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A large daybed or chaise designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Loose tufted cushion with a custom accent pillow. Supported by four solid brass legs. Would work well in a variety ...
Brass
Sold
H 27.5 in W 77 in D 29 in
Dunbar Left Arm Sofa Model 5525 by Edward Wormley, New Charcoal Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Left arm sofa / chaise longues / lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Expertly restored and upholstered in a charcoal fabric with ebonize...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Rocking Chaise Lounge for Dunbar, circa 1955
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Edward Wormley rocking chaise lounge for Dunbar, circa 1955. Professionally restored and upholstered in Maharam Mohair.
Mohair, Cane, Oak
Listen-To-Me Chaise by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1948
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant chaise lounge with an undulating cushion in vintage upholstery with a cherry and maple base and solid brass supports. Model: 4873.
Brass
Dunbar Tête-à-Tête Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful new upholstery in a plush velvet. Hard to find and rarely available, a 1950s Dunbar tete-a-tete sofa. Mahogany legs, brass caps.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Rare Daybed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Rare daybed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Upholstered with tapering Tawi wood legs, circa 1960.
Fabric, Wood
Edward Wormley Daybed for Dunbar, circa 1958
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Edward Wormley Daybed for Dunbar, circa 1958. A rare example. This piece has been expertly restored and upholstered in Maharam Mohair.
Steel